An official release of the organisation said the co-operative produces 2,500 papads, biscuits, khakhras, and other eatables daily, which are consumed not only in the district, but are sent to all parts of the state.

But, more importantly, the entire functioning of the Udyog is carried out by women from Valod town, the taluka headquarter with a population of about 16,000. The co-operative, established in 1968, has grown substantially and is self-reliant at present. It has 100 adivasi and tribal women as members, and is headed by five directors all residents of Valod.

``Thirty years ago, we just made a beginning. Today, if there is one organisation here from which women earn their livelihood, it is the co-operative. We sell products worth about Rs 60 lakh every month,'' Laxmi Parmar, one of the directors, said.

The release said that while 25 per cent of the members are adivasis, 40 per cent are from backward castes. Another 35 per cent are Muslims and from other religions. It also added that the head office in Mumbai provides for all requirements of the co-operative. While the pulses for making papad are supplied from Himmatnagar, Jalgaon and Indore, pepper is imported from Fiji and Malaysia and also brought from Kerala.

Naseem Kazi, another director, feels the co-operative has made women self-reliant and better-equipped to face life. ``Given the conservative outlook in our religion, this co-operative has helped us find our place in the society,'' she said. Parvati Rathod, an adivasi who joined the organisation recently, said the days of going to the farm or cities to work as manual labour are over. ``I'm earning more and can pay better attention to my family and teach my children,'' she emphasised. Incidentally, the co-operative recently donated Rs 20 lakh for the Kargil Relief Fund.